Phosphor coating method for fabricating light emitting semiconductor device and applications thereof

ABSTRACT

A phosphor coating method for fabricating a light-emitting semiconductor is provided. The phosphor coating method comprises the steps as follows: First a light emitting semiconductor wafer having a plurality of die units formed thereon is provided, and a photoresist is then formed on the light emitting semiconductor wafer to cover the die units. A pattern process is conducted to form a plurality of openings associated with the die units, whereby each die can be exposed via one of the openings. Subsequently, a compound mixed with phosphor is filled into the openings.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is based on, and claims priority from, Taiwan Application Serial Number 96132098, filed Aug. 29, 2007, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method for fabricating light emitting semiconductor device and applications thereof, and particularly relates to a wafer level light emitting semiconductor device and applications thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Light emitting semiconductor device that has advantages of low power consumption, less heat generation, long life, small size, impact tolerance, high speed, free mercury and good optical performance has been applied as a light source with steady waive length to an electronic device. The brightness and operation life of a LED device has been tremendously improved along with the development of the optical technology, and may serve as the primary light source of an electronic device in the future.

For example, a light emitting diode (LED) device with white light is made by a LED die encapsulated by a phosphor compound mixed with at least one phosphor, whereby the phosphor is activated by a portion of the blue light emitting from the LED die to derived the blue light into yellow, and the yellow light is then mixed with the other portion of the blue light to produce white light emitting from the LED device.

Conventionally, the steps for coating the phosphor compound on to the LED die are conducted in the device packaging process. During the packaging process, a die should be mounted on to a substrate prior the phosphor compound is coated thereon. However, since the phosphor compound is directly blanket over the LED die, the phosphor mixed in the fluid compound may be precipitated to the periphery of the LED die during the compound coating process. Furthermore the fluid compound may be aggregated the lateral side of the LED die, so as the resulting LED package may have a horizontal thickness greater than the vertical thickness thereof. Thus the initial blue light provide by the LED die and the yellow light derived by the phosphor can not be mixed adequately so as to make the lateral emitting light of the LED package having a color temperature different from light vertically emitting form the LED package, and the brightness of the LED package may be decreased.

To resolve these problems, an advanced method has been applied. FIGS. 1A to 1F illustrate cross-sectional views of a LED packaging process in accordance with a conventional packaging method. First pluralities of LED die units 100 are flip and mounted on a substrate, such as a silicon substrate 101. A conformal coating process, such as screen painting or a thick film process, is then conducted to form a photoresist layer 103 over the substrate 101 and the LED die units 100, and a plurality of openings 104 are formed in the photoresist layer 103 by a patterning process to expose these LED die units 100. Subsequently, a compound 105 mixed with phosphor is filled into the openings 104. A backing process is then conducted prior the photoresist layer 103 is peeled. The packaged LED die units are then separated from the substrate 101; and each of the die units 100 is bonded with wires to from a LED device.

However, the mounting steps may affect the accuracy for aligning LED die units 100 mounted on the substrate 101 with the openings 104 formed in the photoresist 104 during the LED device batch manufacturing process. The phosphor compound may not encapsulate the LED die in equilibrium. Thus light provided by the resulting LED device may have an undesired color temperature, so that the brightness of the LED device is still decreased, also the heat-dispersing efficiency of the LED device may be reduced by the disequilibrium of phosphor compound coated on the LED die.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is desirable to provide an improved method for coating a LED die a phosphor compound to form a LED device with high brightness and heat-dispersing efficiency by-lower cost.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a phosphor coating method for fabricating a light-emitting semiconductor is provided. The phosphor coating method comprises the steps as follows: First a light emitting semiconductor wafer having a plurality of die units formed thereon is provided, and a photoresist is then formed on the light emitting semiconductor wafer to cover the die units. A pattern process is conducted to form a plurality of openings associated with the die units, whereby each die can be exposed via one of the openings. Subsequently, a compound mixed with phosphor is filled into the openings.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method for fabricating a light emitting semiconductor device is provided, wherein the fabricating method comprises the steps as follows: First a light emitting semiconductor wafer having a plurality of die units formed thereon is provided, and a photoresist is then formed on the light emitting semiconductor to cover the die units. A pattern process is conducted to form a plurality of openings associated with the die units, whereby each die can be exposed via one of the openings. Subsequently, a compound mixed with phosphor is filled into the openings. A dicing process is then conducted to separate the die units from the light-emitting semiconductor wafer after the photoresist is removed.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a light emitting semiconductor wafer coated with phosphor is provided, wherein the light emitting semiconductor wafer comprises a plurality of light emitting die units defined by at least one trench. Each light emitting die unit comprises a first semiconductor epitaxy layer with a first electric property, an active layer, a second semiconductor epitaxy layer with a second electric property, a first electrode, a second electrode and a patterned phosphor coating layer, wherein the active layer, the second semiconductor epitaxy layer and the first electrode are sequentially piled on the first semiconductor epitaxy layer, And the second electrode is electrically connected to the first electrode via the second semiconductor epitaxy layer, the active layer and the first semiconductor epitaxy layer. The patterned phosphor-coating layer is deposited on the second semiconductor epitaxy layer to encapsulate a portion of the second semiconductor epitaxy layer, the active layer, and the first semiconductor epitaxy layer that are exposed by the trench. The patterned phosphor coating layer also includes at least opening to expose the first electrode of the light emitting die unit.

In accordance with the above embodiments, the features of the present invention are to conduct the phosphor coating process on the semiconductor wafer, wherein a photolithography process rather than a conventional die attachment or bonding process is applied to fabricate a plurality of light emitting semiconductor devices. A conformal photoresist layer having a plurality of openings is form over the light emitting semiconductor wafer to surround a plurality of light emitting semiconductor die units. The openings are associated with the light emitting die units. Subsequently, a compound mixed with phosphor is filled into the openings. Since a reticle technology is applied to form the openings associated with the light emitting die units, each of the openings can precisely align one of the light emitting die units, and the patterned photoresist (the revetment surrounding each dir unit) can have an accurate predetermined level. Thus the phosphor compound that is filled into each of the opening can be accurately controlled in a predetermined volume, so as to avoid additional waste of phosphor compound. Accordingly light emitting die unit can be encapsulated in equilibrium to improve the brightness of the light emitting die units.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGS. 1A to 1F illustrate cross-sectional views of a LED packaging process in accordance with a conventional packaging method.

FIG. 2A illustrates a vertical view of a light emitting semiconductor wafer and partial magnitude in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2B illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of a light emitting semiconductor wafer 200 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2C illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of the light emitting semiconductor wafer 200 shown in FIG. 2B, after a photoresist 210 is formed thereon.

FIG. 2D illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of the light emitting semiconductor wafer 200, after the pattern process is conducted on the photoresist 210.

FIG. 2E illustrates a vertical view of a portion of the light emitting semiconductor wafer 200, after the pattern process is conducted on the photoresist 210.

FIG. 2F illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of the light emitting semiconductor wafer 200, after a phosphor-encapsulating layer 214 in each of the opening 211.

FIG. 2G illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of the light emitting semiconductor wafer 200, after the patterned photoresist is removed.

FIG. 2H illustrates a cross-sectional view of a packaged die unit 201 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 3A to 3E illustrate a series of partial cross-sectional views of a manufacture process for fabricating a light emitting semiconductor device in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated and better understood by reference to the following detailed description of preferred embodiment as a method for fabricating a LED device, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be appreciated that the features and invention concepts may be applied on other light emitting semiconductor device, such as an ultra high efficiency LED or a laser diode.

FIG. 2A illustrates a vertical view of a light emitting semiconductor wafer and partial magnitude in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 2B to 2H illustrate a series of partial cross-sectional views of a manufacture process for fabricating a light emitting semiconductor device along the line S shown in FIG. 2A.

First a light emitting semiconductor wafer 200 having a plurality of die units 201 is provided (referring to FIG. 2B). In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the light emitting semiconductor wafer 200 comprises a p type semiconductor epitaxy layer 203, an active layer 204 and an n type semiconductor epitaxy layer 205 piled in sequence to form a semiconductor epitaxy structure 206. At least one trench 207 that is formed in the light emitting semiconductor wafer 200 vertically extending from the top surface of the p type semiconductor epitaxy layer 203 into the active layer 204 and the n type semiconductor epitaxy layer 205, is used to identify the die units 201 on the light emitting semiconductor wafer 200.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the die units 201 further comprises a first electrode 208 formed on the n type semiconductor epitaxy layer 205, and a second electrode 209 that is consisted of a portion of a conductive substrate 202 used to grow the semiconductor epitaxy structure 206. The first electrode 208 is electrically connected to the second electrode 209 via the p type semiconductor epitaxy layer 203, the active layer 204, and the p type semiconductor epitaxy layer 205.

FIG. 2C illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of the light emitting semiconductor wafer 200 shown in FIG. 2B, after a photoresist 210 is formed thereon. Wherein a screen-printing or a thick film process is applied to form the photoresist layer 210 for blanketing over the die units 201. A mask (not shown) is then applied to conduct an exposure and developing process for forming a plurality of openings 211 in the photoresist layer 210 in associate with the die units 201. FIG. 2D and FIG. 2E respectively illustrate a cross-sectional view and a vertical view of a portion of the light emitting semiconductor wafer 200, after the pattern process is conducted on the photoresist 210, wherein each opening 211 aligns with one of the die units 201, and each opening 211 has size greater then the size of the corresponding die unit 201 for exposing thereof. Thus the portion of the patterned photoresist 210 used to identify the openings 211 may be remained on a portion of the trench 207 a serves a plurality of revetments (hereinafter referred to as revetments 210 a), and each opening 211 can expose a corresponding die unit 201 and the other portion of the trench 207 so as to separate the die unit 201 from the revetments 210 a. In some embodiments of the present invention, each of the revetments 210 a has a level higher than or equal to the level of the corresponding die unit 201. In the embodiments of the present invention, the shape and size of each opening 211 may be designed according to the predetermined shape and size of the corresponding die unit 201.

In some embodiment of the present invention, another portions of the patterned photoresist 210 b may be remained in each of the openings 211 to cover the first electrode 208 of each corresponding die unit 201.

After the photoresist 210 is patterned, a compound 212 mixed with phosphor is filled into the openings 211 via a compound filler 213. Since the size of each opening 211 is greater than the size of the corresponding die unit 201, and each of the revetments 210 a has a level higher than or equal to the level of the corresponding die unit 201. The phosphor compound 212 filled in these openings 211 not only blankest over the top surface of the n type semiconductor epitaxy layer 205 of each die unit 201, but also fills in the gap between the revetment 211 a and the side wall 201 a of the die unit 201 perpendicular with the top surface of the top surface of the n type semiconductor epitaxy layer 205. Thus the phosphor compound 212 can be accurately filled into each of the opening 211 in a predetermined volume.

In some embodiment of the present invention, the phosphor compound 212 is consisted of organic polymers mixed by phosphoric materials; light emitting from the die units 201 can activate the phosphoric materials by which some visible light with red, yellow, green, blue or other colors may be derived from. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the phosphor compound 212 is consisted of organic polymers or silica gel mixed by phosphoric materials. The openings 211 is filled with phosphor compound 212 by a continue filling step or by a discontinue filling step by the compound filler 213, and the volume of the phosphor compound 212 can be adjusted in dependent with the design of the patterned photoresist 210 a to entirely encapsulate the die units 201 without remaining any voids.

Subsequently, a baking process is conducted to solidify the phosphor compound 212 so as to form a phosphor-encapsulating layer 214 in each of the opening 211 (referring to FIG. 2F). The remained portion of the photoresist 210 a and 210 b are then removed to form the structure shown as FIG. 2G, and complete the phosphor coating process. In some embodiments of the present invention, an exposure-development process or a plasma-etching process is applied to remove the remained portion of the photoresist 210 a and 210 b. After the portion of the photoresist 212 a is removed, the portion of the trench 207 a can be exposed to separate each of the die units 201 for a certain distance D and serves as a cutting street during the consequent dicing process. After the portions of the photoresist 212 b are removed, a plurality of openings 216 are formed in each of the phosphor encapsulating layers 214 used to encapsulate one of the die unites 211, so as to expose a portion of the corresponding first electrode 208 and to provide a bonding area for a consequent wire bonding process.

Subsequently, a dicing process is conducted to separate the die units 201 form the light emitting semiconductor wafer 200 coated with phosphor along the cutting street. Each of the separate die units 201 having a phosphor-encapsulating layer 214 covered thereon is then subjected to a bonding process and a package process to form a light emitting semiconductor device having a die unit 201 electrically connected to a chip carrier 215 (referring to FIG. 2H).

FIGS. 3A to 3E illustrate a series of partial cross-sectional views of a manufacture process for fabricating a light emitting semiconductor device in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

First a light emitting semiconductor wafer 300 having a plurality of die units 301 is provided (referring to FIG. 3A). In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the light emitting semiconductor wafer 300 comprises a p type semiconductor epitaxy layer 303, an active layer 304 and an n type semiconductor epitaxy layer 305 piled in sequence to form a semiconductor epitaxy structure 306. At least one trench 307 that is formed in the light emitting semiconductor wafer 300 vertically extending from the top surface of the p type semiconductor epitaxy layer 303 into the active layer 304 and the n type semiconductor epitaxy layer 305, is used to identify the die units 301 on the light emitting semiconductor wafer 300. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the die units 301 further comprises a first electrode 308 formed on the n type semiconductor epitaxy layer 305, and a second electrode 309 formed on the p type semiconductor epitaxy layer 303. The first electrode 308 is electrically connected to the second electrode 309 via the p type semiconductor epitaxy layer 303, the active layer 304, and the p type semiconductor epitaxy layer 305.

FIG. 3B illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of the light emitting semiconductor wafer 300 shown in FIG. 3A, after a photoresist 310 is formed thereon. Wherein a screen-printing or a spin-coating process is applied to form the photoresist layer 310 for blanketing over the die units 301. A mask (not shown) is then applied to conduct an exposure and developing process for forming a plurality of openings 311 in the photoresist layer 310 in associate with the die units 301, wherein each opening 311 aligns with the die units 301, and each opening 311 has size greater then the size of the corresponding die unit 301 for exposing thereof. Thus the portion of the patterned photoresist 310 used to identify the openings 311 may be remained on a portion of the trench 307 a serves a plurality of revetments (hereinafter referred to as revetments 310 a), and each opening 311 exposes a corresponding die unit 301 and the other portion of the trench 307 so as to separate the die unit 301 from the revetments 310 a. In some embodiments of the present invention, each of the revetments 310 a has a level higher than or equal to the level of the corresponding die unit 301. In the embodiments of the present invention, the shape and size of each opening 311 may be designed according to the predetermined shape and size of the corresponding die unit 301.

In some embodiment of the present invention, another portions of the patterned photoresist, such as portions 310 b and 310 c, may be remained in each of the openings 311 to cover the first electrode 308 and the second electrode 309 of each corresponding die unit 301.

After the photoresist 310 is patterned, a compound 312 mixed with phosphor is filled into the openings 311 via a compound filler 313. Since the size of each opening 311 is greater than the size of the corresponding die unit 301, and each of the revetments 310 a has a level higher than or equal to the level of the corresponding die unit 301. The phosphor compound 312 filled in these openings 311 not only blankets over the top surface of the n type semiconductor epitaxy layer 305 of each die unit 301, but also fills in the gap between the revetment 311 a and the side wall 301 a of the die unit 301 perpendicular with the top surface of the top surface of the n type semiconductor epitaxy layer 305. Thus the phosphor compound 3123 can 312 can be accurately filled into each of the opening 211 with a predetermined volume.

In some embodiment of the present invention, the phosphor compound 312 is consisted of organic polymers mixed by phosphoric materials; light emitting from the die units 301 can activate the phosphoric materials, by which some visible light with red, yellow, green, blue or other colors may be derived from. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the phosphor compound 312 is consisted of organic polymers or silica gel mixed by phosphoric materials. The openings 311 is filled with phosphor compound 312 by a continue filling step or by a discontinue filling step by the compound filler 313, and the volume of the phosphor compound 312 can be adjusted in dependent with the design of the patterned photoresist 210 a to entirely encapsulate the die units 301 without remaining any voids.

Subsequently, a baking process is conducted to solidify the phosphor compound 312 so as to form a phosphor-encapsulating layer 314 in each of the opening 211 (referring to FIG. 3C). The remained portion of the photoresist 310 a, 310 b and 310 c are then removed to form the structure shown as FIG. 3D, and complete the phosphor coating process. In some embodiments of the present invention, an exposure-development process or a plasma etching process is applied to remove the remained portion of the photoresist 310 a, 310 b and 310 c. After the portion of the photoresist 312 a is removed, the portion of the trench 307 a can be exposed to separate each of the die units 201 for a certain distance D and serves as a cutting street during the consequent dicing process. After the portions of the photoresist 312 b and 312 c are removed, a plurality of openings 316 and opening 317 are formed respectively in each of the phosphor-encapsulating layers 314 used to encapsulate one of the die unites 311, so as to expose a portion of the corresponding first electrode first electrode 308 and a portion of the corresponding second electrode first electrode 309 to provide bonding areas for a consequent wire bonding process.

Subsequently, a dicing process is conducted to separate the die units 301 form the light emitting semiconductor wafer 300 coated with phosphor along the cutting street. Each of the separate die units 301 having a phosphor-encapsulating layer 314 covered thereon is then subjected to a bonding process and a package process respectively to form a light emitting semiconductor device having a die unit 301 electrically connected to a chip carrier 315 (referring to FIG. 3E).

In accordance with the above embodiments, the features of the present invention are to conduct the phosphor coating process on the semiconductor wafer, wherein a photolithography process rather than a conventional die attachment or bonding process is applied to fabricate a plurality of light emitting semiconductor devices. A conformal photoresist layer having a plurality of openings is form over the light emitting semiconductor wafer to surround a plurality of light emitting semiconductor die units. The openings are associated with the light-emitting die units. Subsequently, a compound mixed with phosphor is filled into the openings. Since a reticle technology is applied to form the openings associated with the light emitting die units, each of the openings can precisely align one of the light emitting die units, and the patterned photoresist (the revetment surrounding each dir unit) can have an accurate predetermined level. Thus the phosphor compound that is filled into each of the opening can be accurately controlled in a predetermined volume, so as to avoid additional waste of phosphor compound. Accordingly light emitting die unit can be encapsulated in equilibrium to improve the brightness of the light emitting die units.

As is understood by a person skilled in the art, the foregoing preferred embodiments of the present invention are illustrated of the present invention rather than limiting of the present invention. It is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, the scope of which should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structure. 

1. A phosphor coating method for fabricating a light-emitting semiconductor device comprising: providing a light emitting semiconductor wafer having a plurality of die units formed thereon; forming a photoresist layer on the light emitting semiconductor wafer to cover the die units; conducting a pattern process to form a plurality of openings associated with the die units, whereby each of the die units can be exposed via one of the openings; and filling a compound mixed with phosphor into the openings, wherein the light emitting semiconductor wafer comprise at least one trench to identify the die units thereon.
 2. The phosphor coating method of claim 1, wherein a screen-printing or a spin-coating process is applied to form the photoresist layer over the light emitting semiconductor wafer.
 3. The phosphor coating method of claim 2, wherein the pattern process is an exposure and developing process to form the openings, and each of which has a size greater than the size of the corresponding the die unit.
 4. The phosphor coating method of claim 3, wherein each of the openings exposes a portion of the trench.
 5. A phosphor coating method for fabricating a light-emitting semiconductor device comprising: providing a light emitting semiconductor wafer having a plurality of die units formed thereon; forming a photoresist layer on the light emitting semiconductor wafer to cover the die units; conducting a pattern process to form a plurality of openings associated with the die units, whereby each of the die units can be exposed via one of the openings; and filling a compound mixed with phosphor into the openings, wherein the step of filling the phosphor compound comprises: mixing a compound with a phosphor to form a phosphor compound; and filling the phosphor compound into the openings, wherein after the phosphor compound is filled into the opening, an exposure and developing process or a plasma etching is applied to remove the photoresist layer.
 6. A phosphor coating method for fabricating a light-emitting semiconductor device comprising: providing a light emitting semiconductor wafer having a plurality of die units formed thereon, forming a photoresist layer on the light emitting semiconductor wafer to cover the die units; conducting a pattern process to form a plurality of openings associated with the die units, whereby each of the die units can be exposed via one of the openings; and filling a compound mixed with phosphor into the openings, wherein the step of the pattern process comprises remaining a portion of the photoresist layer to blanket over at least one electrode formed on each of the die units.
 7. A light emitting semiconductor wafer having a phosphor coated thereon comprising a plurality of die units identified by at least one trench, wherein each of the die units comprises: a first semiconductor epitaxy layer with a first electric property; an active layer, deposited on the first semiconductor epitaxy layer; a second semiconductor epitaxy layer with a second electric property, deposited on the active layer; a first electrode, deposited on and electrically connected to the second semiconductor epitaxy layer; a second electrode, deposited on one of the first semiconductor epitaxy layer and the second semiconductor epitaxy layer, and electrically connected to the first electrode via the first semiconductor epitaxy layer, the active layer and the second semiconductor epitaxy layer; and a patterned phosphor coating layer, deposit on the second semiconductor epitaxy layer to encapsulate a portion of the second semiconductor epitaxy layer, the active layer, and the first semiconductor epitaxy layer that are exposed by the trench.
 8. The light emitting semiconductor wafer of claim 7, wherein the light emitting semiconductor wafer is selected from a group consisting of a light emitting diode wafer, an ultra high efficiency LED wafer and a laser diode wafer.
 9. The light emitting semiconductor wafer of claim 7, wherein the trench vertically extends from the top surface of the second semiconductor epitaxy layer into the second semiconductor epitaxy layer, the active layer and the first semiconductor epitaxy layer.
 10. The light emitting semiconductor wafer of claim 7, wherein the patterned phosphor coating layer encapsulate a side wall consisted of the second semiconductor epitaxy layer, the active layer, and the first semiconductor epitaxy layer that are exposed by the trench. 